Press Release - NASDCTEc Lauds Conference Committee on Perkins Reauthorization

July 24, 2006
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC - House and Senate Conferees finalized an agreement Perkins legislation Thursday, ending a year-long debate on the reauthorization of career and technical education.

“The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium [NASDCTEc] appreciates and congratulates the Congress on its support and resilience to complete the reauthorization of the Perkins Act this year,” said NASDCTEc Executive Director, Kimberly Green. “This legislation is the result of many advocates and the Congress working together to craft federal policy that will build on and extend existing best practices and successes, as well as promote innovation in career technical education.”

The legislation reflects the top priorities of NASDCTEc and the career technical education community including retaining 5% for state administration, strengthening accountability, and supporting career clusters and pathways. The reauthorized Perkins Act will provide critical support to career technical education so that it can ensure that America remains competitive through a competent, technically proficient, and well-prepared workforce.

The Conferees accepted the staff notes that articulate a series of compromises between the two bills and provided staff the authority to continue to work on technical and confirming amendments. Though the most of the specifics of the conference report were not discussed, Conferees did note that they accepted the modern terminology of “Career and Technical Education” and have agreed to keep Tech Prep as a separate title. Congress is expected to vote on the bill before the start of their August recess.

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